Collier County residents demand action as stray bullets pierce homes for years

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — Stray bullets have been striking homes across Collier County for years and residents say they are running out of options.

Concerns were renewed last week when a bullet tore through a property and shattered two hurricane-strength doors while a man was home with his 2-year-old daughter.

Now more people are coming forward with their own close calls. One homeowner in the Rural Estates community, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, says he’s called the Collier County Sheriff’s Office several times. His most recent call came after he said a bullet flew right over his head in his own backyard.

Florida law prevents local governments from passing rules regulating the ownership or shooting of firearms on private property in certain rural areas where properties are separated by at least one acre.

That means even when a bullet is fired from one property and ends up in someone else's home, county officials say their hands are tied.

Collier County Commissioner Bill McDaniel said the county has worked with the Collier County Sheriff's Office to offer guidance to residents.

"What we have done is worked with the Collier County Sheriff's Department and offered up education for folks. They can only be recommendations because of the liability aspect," McDaniel said.

McDaniel said in his nine years as a county commissioner he has seen roughly 10 instances of a stray bullet striking someone else's property.

He also pointed out that state law does not require property owners to have a berm or other barrier designed to keep bullets on their property.

"Going back to the requirements of a berm, there are none. And that's one of the disappointments I have. You can't pull that bullet back once you squeeze that trigger," McDaniel said.

For homeowner Dan Harty, the issue hits close to home after a stray bullet tore through his backyard and shattered his back doors.

Harty said the area is growing with more development and more people living near the gunfire.

"There's hospitals over here so you'd never think that someone would have that range on their property with all this traffic all the time," Harty said.

The homeowner in Rural Estates said this is not about taking away anyone's right to own a gun, instead it’s about consideration for everyone’s ability to enjoy their property.

"It's not fair to other people. I understand he's exercising his Second Amendment right. I'm a firearms owner but I don't shoot in a neighborhood where there are people," the homeowner said.

As the search for a long-term solution continues, homeowners say they hope county leaders will find a middle ground before someone gets hurt.